“That’s right, our girl is a best seller,” booms Dad.
I nod as words fail me under Kris’ scrutiny.
“Now that everyone is here…” Mom looks at me. “Let’s dig in.”
“Sorry, Mom.”
Mom smiles at me.
“Sophia, I do hope you like seafood?” asks Mom.
Sophia’s head snaps in her direction then back to Kris. “Kris!”
“Oh, shit.” Kris looks at my dad. “Ah, sorry, Mr. Boswell.”
“It’s okay, Kris, you’re not fifteen anymore, you can say shit. I’m sure you all say worse,” responds Dad as he ladles Mom’s paella onto his plate.
“Kris,” hisses Sophia.
“Is there a problem?” I ask.
“I’m allergic to shellfish.”
Kris stands. “I’m so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Boswell, I forgot.”
“Nonsense, don’t worry. There’s plenty of vegetables, corn, peas, potatoes, and carrots,” says Mom.
Sophia stands. “No, I’m sorry, Kris should have told you. They’re all carbs. We’re starting a new movie in a few weeks, and I need to stay in shape.”
“So, you’re both going?” asks Todd.
“I can cook something else?” says Mom.
“Mom, you spent most of today on this. No one expects you to go back into the kitchen,” interjects TB with attitude.
Kris glances down at him and nods. “TB’s right. Sophia, I’ll drop you back to the motel, you can order room service, and I’ll come back here to discuss the wedding. How does that sound?”
The room goes quiet.
Dad is frozen mid-air putting another cob of corn on his plate as we all stare at Sophia.
Her lips turn down at the corners, but she soon smiles at my mother. “I’m so sorry to be a bother, Mrs. Boswell. Perhaps we could do this another time? Kris, of course, you can drive me back, and yes, you should definitely catch up and get all of the wedding stuff out of the way. It’s going to be a big week. Ashlea, it’s so good seeing you again and you, Todd.”
Sophia heads for the front door, and we all look at Kris. “I’ll be back. Don’t wait.”
“Kris, I’m pretty sure the motel doesn’t have a restaurant attached. What are you going to do?” I ask.
Kris scrubs a hand over his face and through his blond locks, and suddenly, he looks like the boy I fell in love with.
“I’ll figure something out.”
Kris walks out of the house, and we wait until we hear the car drive away before any of us speak.
“What a bitch,” says TB.
“Ares! You will not talk that way at your mother’s table,” says Dad.
“You told Kris he could say shit.”
“I was trying to be cool, but I am not that cool.”
I can’t help it, I burst out laughing as does everyone else.
“Wow, she’s a piece of work, isn’t she?” asks Ashlea.
“You can’t blame her. Poor dear, she does look like she hasn’t had a decent meal in a while. Kris should have told us.” That’s my mom, always the peacekeeper.
“Bet he did it on purpose, so she’d go back to the motel,” says TB.
“He wouldn’t do that.”
“Aw, here we go. Why are you defending him, Athena? The guy left you.”
“The guy left this town, and I just happened to be in it. He wanted to be an actor, you can’t do that here.”
“Whatever,” says TB with a flick of his wrist.
Todd clears his throat. “This is really good paella, Mrs. Boswell.”
Mom smiles widely at him. “Thank you, Todd. How was work today?”
And just like that, the conversation is diffused as Mom and Todd discuss the events in our small town. Mechanically, I fill my plate, grateful that Sophia and Kris have departed.
Dad leans in. “Are you okay, buttercup?”
I nod. “Yeah, Dad.”
“He looks the same, only older.” I nod, not wanting to talk about Kris. “He was a fool and look what he ended up with.”
I look up to his kind face, and Dad winks at me.
Laughing, I smile widely at him. “I love you, Dad.”
He pats my arm then looks down at his plate. “Betty, can we eat?”
Todd starts coughing. “Are we waiting?”
“Heavens no. He might not come back, let’s eat,” replies Mom.
I wink at Mom and then look at TB. “Do you realize that soon you’ll be an old married couple?”
Ashlea’s face goes all soft, and she looks at TB, a loving smile on her lips. “Yes, we will.”
“We will not be an old married couple. We will be a hot, young, married couple.”
Ashlea grabs his face and kisses him.
“All right, that’s enough, you two. I’m trying to eat,” teases Dad.
“It’s really good, Mom,” says Ashlea.
Mom’s face goes red, and her eyes become bright with tears. “I get a new daughter.”
“Aww!” says Todd with his fork paused mid-air. “That’s so sweet.”
Mom nods and looks down at her plate. She’s always been the practical one, so seeing this kind of emotional display is completely out of character.
“Mom, are you okay?” I ask.
“It’s nice having all of my kids home.”
She’s talking about Kris. I guess it never occurred to me that she’d miss him too. He was an important part of our family for years. When his mother died, he practically moved in here and slept in TB’s room.
TB looks at me and raises his eyebrows. In return, I slightly shake my head and shrug.
“How did the final fitting for your dress go?” asks Ashlea.
“Mom’s done. It looks fabulous.”
“Ashlea, she looks like an angel in it,” says Mom.
“Yes, she does,” agrees Dad. “Of course, you’ll be the shining light on the day.”
Ashlea blushes at Dad’s compliment. “I hope so.”
“Dad’s right, all eyes are going to be on you. Is everything organized?” I ask.
TB grabs Ashlea’s hand and raises it to his lips, kissing it.
She looks at him and smiles as she answers my question, “Yes, we’re all set. We just have to get to the chapel on time.”
“I’ll be there waiting.” TB kisses her lightly, a smile on his lips as he pulls away and stares into her eyes.
It’s like there’s no one else in the room. They exist only for each other. Inside, I turn a shade of green. I’m happy for TB, and I never thought he’d find someone, but Ashlea is perfect for him. She calls him out on his bullshit, and she’s his biggest supporter. I’ve seen her do an all-day shift at the medical center, then work at the café at night when a waitress doesn’t turn up. And TB, well, he’d do anything for her. It’s all about give and take and being there for each other. I’m not sure I’ve ever had that.
***
Two hours later, and I’m in the kitchen putting everything into the dishwasher. Todd and my dad have disappeared into his workshop out back to look at Dad’s latest wood carving. It’s something he started the day he retired, much to Mom’s amusement. His works of art are definitely interesting. Mom has retreated into her sewing room, and TB and Ashlea are sitting on the front deck enjoying each other’s company.
“Do you need help?”
I freeze. His voice runs over me like an old song, and my body responds to him like it always did.
“Athena?”
I make myself stand tall, straighten my shoulders, turn around, and shake my head. Kris is standing so close, I could reach out and touch him. He places a hand to the back of his neck, an old tell when he’s feeling uncomfortable.
“Are there leftovers? Your mom’s paella is the best.”
“Y-You remember?”
The hand drops, and he places both of them in his pockets rocking back on his heels. “Of course, I remember. I remember everything, Athena.”
I cock my head to the side. “In the
fridge.” I turn back around and continue stacking the dishwasher.
The refrigerator door opens, and I hear him getting a plate out of the cupboard. When I turn back around, he’s pouring himself a glass of milk.
“I’ve missed this.”
“Mom’s food?”
Kris shakes his head, holds up his hand, and makes a circle in the air. “No this... this house, the people in it, the food, the town, and most of all… you.”
I swear my heart is beating so loudly that everyone in town can probably hear it. I’m staring at him standing there in jeans, a white shirt, and a black jacket, and I feel like that seventeen-year-old girl again, totally enamored with the only boy who ever made her feel like she was precious.
Todd walks in and clears his throat. “Athena, love, are you ready to go?”
Love?
Todd places both his hands on my shoulders, blocking my view of Kris. “I have an early shift tomorrow, and didn’t you want to finish those last chapters of your current book?”
“Y-Yes, yes, I did.”
Todd kisses my forehead and drops his hands, taking one of mine in his, then he turns around and smiles broadly at Kris.
“Nice meeting you, Kris. Athena has told me a lot about you.” Todd smiles at him and holds out his hand.
Kris grasps it, and I can tell this is not a friendly handshake. Both men plaster fake smiles on their faces.
“Nice meeting you, too,” replies Kris.
They break the handshake, and Todd smiles down at me. “Come on, buttercup, time to hit the road.”
I glance at Kris who looks taken aback at Todd using Dad’s nickname for me.
“See you, Kris,” I mumble as Todd drags me from the room.
“Bye, Athena.”
I don’t look back, instead keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead. TB and Ashlea are still on the front deck when Todd drags me out there.
“Night you two, I’m taking Athena home.”
“Night, Todd,” they say in unison.
I give them a wave as I somehow make it down the stairs and into Todd’s cruiser.
Todd says nothing on the way home. I glance at him. He’s gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles are white, and his mouth is in a straight line. When we arrive at my home, he turns off the cruiser and jogs around it to open my door.
“Thanks for the lift home.”
“I need a coffee, and you’re going to make me one.”
Todd goes ahead of me and strides up the path. I watch his retreating form and have no choice but to follow him. When I get to the door of my home, it’s open, and I follow the noises into the kitchen.
“You should lock your doors.”
“I know everyone in town.”
“And everyone in town knows you live alone. Lock your doors.”
“Yes, Deputy Roth.” Todd hands me a cup of hot, steaming tea. I take a sip. “Ahh, peppermint, thank you. Do you want to tell me why you’re so mad?”
“He’s an asshole.”
“Kris?”
“Yes, Kris Livingston. He’s a self-assured asshole. An asshole who thinks he’s got you wound around his little finger.”
I take another sip of my tea and move to sit on my big, comfy armchair. I had it made, it’s dark red with overstuffed arms and envelops me when I sit in it. Tucking my feet under me, I look up at Todd, who has calmed down and sits on the sofa.
“I was unprepared for how I’d react. We never said goodbye, and he’s here, and I guess I have some unresolved feelings…” my words trail off, and I wave a hand in the air. “It was a long time ago.”
“Okay, let’s recap. The asshole, aka Kris Livingston, left you seven years ago. No phone call, no note, nothing.”
“I know that.”
“Hush. Fast forward to tonight. The asshole—”
“Please stop calling him that.”
“Nope. Now, be quiet. The asshole waltzes back into town with a girlfriend, and you fall at his feet. He says a few nice things, I miss you, Athena, etcetera, etcetera, and you forgive him,” Todd pauses then raises his voice. “For ripping out your heart and treating you like garbage! Does that sound about right?”
I’ve never known Todd to raise his voice at anyone.
I purse my lips together and nod. “Sounds about right, but you shouldn’t call him that.”
“Athena, I love you, and you’re my closest friend, but this guy, this guy treated you badly. He doesn’t deserve you. You deserve so much better than that, and the fucker nearly crushed my hand.”
“When you shook hands?”
“Yeah.” Todd flexes his hand twice. “Okay, so new plan of action. I am now your boyfriend. You are not going to be alone with the asshole at any time. You will remain strong, and if he wants you, he’s damn well going to have to earn you back. You are not something to be thrown away. You are precious.”
That one little word brings tears to my eyes. I shake my head as a tear trails down my cheek. Quickly, I brush it away.
“I’m sorry, Athena, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“No, Todd, you’re right. H-He just made me remember what it was like to be young and in love, but I’m not seventeen anymore. I think I’ve been waiting for him to come back. Todd, you’re gay, you can’t be my boyfriend.”
Todd smiles. “No sex, no extracurricular activities, but while this guy is in town, I’m all yours.” Todd does jazz hands and flicks imaginary locks over his shoulder.
Laughing, I nod. “Okay. Will you be my plus one for the wedding?”
Todd puts both of his hands to his chest. “I thought you’d never ask! What color are you wearing?”
“Pink.”
“Great. I get all of my pink ties together and go to your mom’s house tomorrow and make sure one of them matches.”
“How many pink ties do you have?”
“Girl, I am a proud gay man. Well, sort of. I have a multitude of colors of pink. One should match, if not, I’ll ask your mom to make me one.”
“You’re never going to get a boyfriend if you pretend to be mine.”
“One problem at a time. Right now, let’s concentrate on you.”
Chapter Seven
Kris
I’m standing outside my dad’s house. It’s ten in the morning, and if he’s not at the docks, he should be home. Sophia is waiting in the car. I didn’t want her to come. My dad and I have lots of issues, and I wanted to handle him alone. But Sophia said she’d be bored and well, a bored Sophia can be a spiteful Sophia. It was just easier to bring her along.
“Isn’t he home?” calls out Sophia.
I turn around, my hand raised in a stop gesture, and she scowls at me. Sophia is also out of the car. With a sigh, I turn back around and rap my knuckles twice on the old front door. The paint is peeling off in places and needs to be sanded down, much like the front of the house. Every summer he’d make me do the front door. Looking at it now, it looks like it did when I left, so he hasn’t done anything to it.
I’m nervous.
Turning around, I head for the street. I have the gate open when I hear the front door creak on noisy hinges. Looking over my shoulder, my old man is standing there staring back, but instead of the scowl he always wore, his face breaks into a smile.
“Kris, is that you?”
I let the gate go. It falls back against the rock-lined path that leads up to the house, and I hold up a hand and wave. “Hey, Dad.”
He comes out of the house further, his hand raised to shade his eyes. I feel Sophia by my side, hand entwining with mine as she pulls me toward the only blood relative I have left. Dad maneuvers around Sophia and engulfs me in a rib-crushing hug.
“I n-never thought you’d come back.” Surprisingly, his words are thick with emotion.
“TB is getting married. I’m the best man.”
Dad pulls away from me, wiping his eyes as he does.
“Right, right. Yeah, he’s marrying that nurse from the medical center. Nice gir
l, always polite.”
Sophia clears her throat, and Dad looks at her as though he’s only just realized she’s there.
“Dad, this is Sophia Thorne.”
He holds out his hand, and Sophia places hers in his and holds on with her other hand. I’ve seen her do this a thousand times, it’s an old trick to make people believe she cares.
“Mr. Livingston, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Her words are saccharine sweet, and inwardly, I cringe and wish she wasn’t here.
“You’re that actress I’ve seen on TV.”
Sophia smiles warmly at him. “Yes, I’m an actor just like Kris.”
Dad glances at me, the barb from Sophia correcting him isn’t lost on him. I wait for him to say something, but all he does is turn his lips down at the corners and look at me.
“Do you want to come in, son? I know you’re probably busy.”
“Nonsense! We came here to visit you. Of course, we want to come in,” replies Sophia.
Dad nods and leads the way into my family home. I pull back on Sophia’s hand, letting him get ahead of us.
“Be nice,” I hiss.
In return, Sophia smiles, pulls out of my grasp, and walks into the house. I rub the back of my neck and look up at the sky.
I should have left her at the motel.
With a sigh, I venture into the house. Not a home. It was never that for me. The Boswell’s house is home. This was just a place where I existed. No love. No encouragement. Just a bitter old man. It hasn’t changed. The brown sofa still has plastic over it, the carpet is worn and threadbare in places. It needed to be replaced when I was young. The walls are the same cream that used to be white. It still looks like it did the day my mother died. It’s like he got stuck in time. Dad never moved on. They should have buried him the day she died for he stopped living that day too.
“Would you like a drink?” he asks, looking at me hopefully.
“Coffee?” I reply knowing full well he’ll have a pot on.
“Just made a pot,” Dad says cheerfully. “Sophia?”
Sophia goes to speak, and I talk over her, giving her a stony glare, so she knows not to argue with me.
“She’ll have coffee too, black no sugar.”
Powerful: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World) Page 3